The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Organization for standardization (ISO) have produced a statement of outcomes that are to be expected as a result of accredited certification to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. The intent is to promote a common focus throughout the entire conformity assessment chain in order to achieve these expected outcomes and thereby enhance the value and relevance of accredited certification.

Accredited certification bodies are continuously assessed to ensure they meet the applicable international standards. Accredited management systems certification should provide confidence in the organization’s ability to meet its objectives related to the intent of the management system standard.

Section 5 iv – WCS reserve the right to review certification and undertake a special audit to ensure continued conformance to the certification standard.

Section 5 x -Advise WCS without delay of the occurrence of a serious incident or breach of regulation. This includes all incidents that have the potential for criminal or civil litigation and necessitating the involvement of the competence regulatory authority. WCS reserves the right to review the incident and if required undertake a special audit to ensure continued conformance with the certification standard.

Section 7 xiii – Review communications from clients and interested parties following serious incidents and breaches of regulation and complete any necessary investigations / special audits. In cases where it can be demonstrated that the system seriously failed to meet the certification requirements this shall provide grounds for suspension or withdrawal of certification.

Please review these new regulations as they may affect your certification with WCS.

Please call the WCS office or discuss with the WCS assessor if you have any concerns.

As a reminder it is a contractual requirement to follow the WCS certification regulations.

]]>http://www.world-cert.co.uk/updated-certification-regulations/feed/0Use of Certification Marks and Certification Statementshttp://www.world-cert.co.uk/use-of-certification-marks-and-certification-statements/ http://www.world-cert.co.uk/use-of-certification-marks-and-certification-statements/#respondMon, 25 Mar 2019 10:00:29 +0000http://www.world-cert.co.uk/?p=1627When a company achieves certification with World Certification Services Ltd it is entitled to use the appropriate certification marks (logo) on stationery and marketing material.

These marks are provided by World Certification Services with your Certificate of Registration. It is important that the use of these marks is correct and in accordance with Certification Requirements.

WCS has created a “Use of Logos” documents in order to avoid the incorrect use of certification marks. This document also provides guidance on the correct “Certification Statements” that a client can make.

]]>http://www.world-cert.co.uk/use-of-certification-marks-and-certification-statements/feed/0Illegal Websitehttp://www.world-cert.co.uk/illegal-website/ http://www.world-cert.co.uk/illegal-website/#respondFri, 11 Jan 2019 11:31:02 +0000http://www.world-cert.co.uk/?p=1592It has been brought to our attention that an illegal website has been created stating that World Certification Services Ltd (WCS) is operating in Indonesia. The website is using content from the official WCS website and using the WCS brand and mark.

http://wcs-indonesia.com

This website was created without permission and WCS is not operating in Indonesia. WCS has not issued any certificates (accredited or unaccredited) in Indonesia. Please note at this time WCS has not received confirmation that the person responsible for this website is undertaking audits and providing certification.

WCS is currently investigating and taking steps to take down this website. A cease and desist letter has been sent to the person responsible and the local hosting site has been contacted.

Hopefully the site will be removed shortly. In the mean time if a person or entity is stating they are representing World Certification Services Ltd in Indonesia then this is a false statement.

]]>http://www.world-cert.co.uk/illegal-website/feed/0Annual Customer Surveyhttp://www.world-cert.co.uk/annual-customer-survey/ http://www.world-cert.co.uk/annual-customer-survey/#respondFri, 23 Nov 2018 10:45:09 +0000http://www.world-cert.co.uk/?p=1581Its that time of year again and WCS is asking its customers for feedback on its performance over the last 12 months.

Customer feedback is extremely important for WCS in order to ensure its auditors are performing well and that its office processes are robust and effective. WCS is always trying to improve so feedback, negative or positive is appreciated.

This year the survey is very short and is focused on core areas of the business.

]]>http://www.world-cert.co.uk/annual-customer-survey/feed/0A Guide to ISO 45001:2018http://www.world-cert.co.uk/a-guide-to-iso-450012018/ http://www.world-cert.co.uk/a-guide-to-iso-450012018/#respondFri, 05 Oct 2018 14:10:18 +0000http://www.world-cert.co.uk/?p=1570WCS has produced a short guide to ISO 45001:2018.

Download here ISO 45001 Guide and also in the downloads section of the website.

This guide includes some differences between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001.

This is just a short guide and if you require a more detailed information you should consider attending a formal training course, purchasing the standard and also reviewing supporting standards such as BS 45002-0, BS 45002-1 and BS 45002-3.

As a reminder WCS can provide gap analysis services at competitive day rates. Contact WCS for more information.

]]>http://www.world-cert.co.uk/iso-45001-to-ohsas-18001-matrix/feed/0ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 have EXPIREDhttp://www.world-cert.co.uk/iso-90012008-and-iso-140012004-have-expired/ http://www.world-cert.co.uk/iso-90012008-and-iso-140012004-have-expired/#respondThu, 20 Sep 2018 12:25:31 +0000http://www.world-cert.co.uk/?p=1564As previously communicated, two popular management system standards (ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004) were revised and the new versions published in September 2015. All clients had three years to complete the transition to the new standards.

Well done to all the WCS clients who have transitioned. Hopefully you find the new standards easier to work with and just as beneficial as the older versions.

However, not all clients managed to transition in time and some even decided that they no longer required a certified management system. Unfortunately all ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certificates have now expired and certification is no longer valid.

WCS is still working with clients and they are in the process of transitioning. If you have any concerns, issues or find that you still require a certified management system please contact your local WCS office.

During recent Accreditation Body Assessments it was identified that WCS and all Accredited Certification Bodies are required to make available to its customers the justification for determining effective number of employees and the justification for audit time determination. This requirement is included in IAF MD 5 and this relates to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and AS 9100 clients.

WCS retain in client files the effective number of employees for each client. Likewise the audit calculation (justification) is retained on file. This is available to all clients on request.

WCS will be adding a reference to this on all future certification contracts. In order to make it clear to all current clients WCS is providing the following justification on how it determines audit time.

Effective Number of Employees

AS 9100 – Audit duration in the As 9100 Certification Scheme is based on Total Number of Employees (not effective number).

ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 – WCS will ask each applicant for a breakdown of employees in the main processes or areas of the business. WCS will ask about temporary workers, part time workers and full time workers. WCS reviews the number of employees in each area and makes a decision on the effective number. Example below:

100 cleaners doing domestic house cleaning – WCS may reduce this significantly so the effective number is 30. WCS will retain this information on file.

Audit Duration Calculation

WCS determines the audit duration in accordance with IAF MD5, IAF MD 22, and AS 9104 requirements. WCS consider factors such as risk, size/complexity, degree of regulation, temporary sites, outsourced processes, level of automation, repetitive processes, high number of staff undertaking similar simple functions etc. WCS retain all calculations on file for review by a client on request and for accreditation bodies during routine audits. WCS use the starting audit duration within IAF documentation and reduce / increase the audit time considering the factors above.

In general the initial audit duration is calculated, the surveillance audit is approx. 1/3 of the initial audit duration and recertification is approx. 2/3 of initial audit duration.

INFORMATION ON REQUEST

WCS will discuss the audit duration on application for certification services. Determination of audit duration (calculation) is available on request. Please email info@world-cert.co.uk if you require this information. Note that this information is confidential and remains the property of World Certification Services Ltd. The information should not be forwarded on to third parties without the permission of World Certification Services Ltd.

Unfortunately, due to a downturn in demand for certification along with an increase in accreditation costs, WCS management have decided to resign its UKAS accreditation and withdraw from the ISO 22000 accredited scheme.

WCS is currently working with its client base to seek alternative suppliers and transfer their accredited certification.

WCS is still active in the scheme but will be providing non accredited certification.

It should be noted that there is demand for certification in some overseas countries including Malaysia, so steps are being taken to source local accreditation.

World Certification Services Ltd is working with WCS Malaysia and is in the process of gaining accreditation with Standards Malaysia. WCS Malaysia hope to achieve accreditation towards the end of 2018.